Context:

Recently, CITES released guidelines for its member countries to ensure sustainable harvesting and trade of rosewood species during the 27th meeting of the Plants Committee. 

CITES’s role in conserving rosewood species:

• CITES monitors the global trade of several rosewood species, such as those belonging to the genera Dalbergia, Afzelia, Khaya, and Pterocarpus.
• These species are currently categorized under Appendix II, which indicates that they are not immediately threatened with extinction but could be at risk if their trade is not regulated. 

Highlights from the 27th Plants Committee Meeting

• It emphasised on capacity-building efforts for priority species identified in the conservation and trade report (13 high priority and 14 medium priority).
• Pterocarpus erinaceus (African rosewood) has been highlighted as one of the most threatened species due to over-exploitation and illegal trade.
• Trade suspension recommendations have been put in place for Range states of Pterocarpus erinaceus to address sustainability and legality concerns.

About CITES

• CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is an international agreement between governments. 
• Its primary objective is to ensure that international trade in wild animal and plant specimens does not threaten species’ survival.
• CITES originated from a resolution adopted in 1963 during a meeting of IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature ) members.
• CITES officially came into effect on 1 July 1975.

About Rosewood

• ’Rosewood’ is a commercial term encompassing a wide range of tropical hardwoods in the Fabaceae (Leguminosae) family. Rosewood trees are harvested and traded primarily for crafting traditional furniture and musical instruments. 
• Its wood is hard, fine-grained, pink in color, rigid, and compact. It has a number of species such as Indian, Brazilian, Burmese, Malaysian etc.
• Dalbergia sissoo, commonly known as Shisham, is a medium to large deciduous rosewood tree native to India. Its IUCN status is least concern and is listed in Appendix II of CITES

Role of Non-Detriment Findings (NDFs)

• The importance of enhancing links with the Module on Non-Detriment Findings (NDF) for tree species per the CITES-NDF Guidance was highlighted.
  A non-detriment finding (NDF) is a conclusion by a Scientific Authority that exporting specimens of a particular species will not negatively impact the species' survival in the wild
• NDFs are crucial for ensuring sustainable global trade in CITES-listed species, supporting livelihoods in their countries of origin and industries in production and destination countries.
• Evidence-based NDFs are a fundamental element of CITES that allow trade in species while protecting them from future extinction.